Carrying handle for shopping bags

ABSTRACT

A handle grip for supporting and carrying one or more shopping bags has a tubular handle structure with a longitudinal slot for receiving shopping bag handles and two transverse slots, one near either end, for securing the bag handles and for attaching a shoulder strap.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/270,231, filed Jul. 6, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carrying handle system capable ofcarrying one or more bags or articles by their handle portion. Thisinvention comprises a tubular handle structure having a longitudinalslot for receiving shopping bag handles and two transverse slots, onenear either end, for securing the bag handles and for attaching ashoulder strap.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The commonplace use of plastic grocery bags in supermarkets haspresented many concerns for customers. The relatively narrow strips ofplastic that comprise the integral handles of such bags can cut into thebearer's hand if a heavy load is contained therein, causing numbness anddiscomfort to the holder's palm and fingers. This strain on the hand isonly exacerbated when the holder is attempting to carry several heavygrocery bags at once. Another concern caused by these plastic shoppingbags is that users cannot have their hands available for paying forpurchases, unlocking and opening doors, shopping for other items, etc.without the need to set the bags down first. Similar problems arise inthe use of twine-handled paper shopping bags and cloth shopping bags

Various bag-carrying handle grips are known which are structurallysimilar to the present invention, including those disclosed in the U.S.Pat. Nos. to Franges (3,083,366), Enersen (4,590,640), Leonard(4,846,519), Stewart (4,923,235), Nobakht (4,902,060), Dieterich(5,029,926), Tipp (5,775,757), and Scholes (7,024,730). Of the foregoingpatents, only those of Franges and Leonard have a tubular structure. Thepatents of both Franges and Leonard specify a longitudinal access slot,but neither has a transverse locking slot or attachable shoulder straps.Various types of transverse locking slots are disclosed in the patentsof Stewart, Nobakht, Dieterich, and Tipp.

Many of the other handgrips that have been heretofore proposed will notremain securely attached to the bag handles once the bag is placed on asupport surface, resulting in misplacement of the hand-gripping device.This may result in spillage of the contents of the bags or parcels whenthe bags are being transported in a motorized vehicle. For example, thebag grip disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,640 to Enersen is readilyremovable and does not lock the bag loops together. This device musttherefore be reattached each time the bag or article is set down,leaving the bag contents vulnerable to spillage.

Another disadvantage of many of the handgrips of the prior art is thatthey can only be fitted to carry a single bag or article.

The handgrips of the prior art also suffer another shortcoming in thatthey do little to reduce the strain caused on the hand by carrying oneor several heavy bags or parcels. None of the handgrip devices of theprior art provide for attachment of the handle to a shoulder strap, asdoes the present invention. The use of a shoulder strap significantlyincreases the amount of weight that can be carried with ease by thecustomer. It also saves the user multiple trips to and from the store orcar by enabling him to carry up to ten full shopping bags at one timewith ease. While the U.S. Pat. No. to Jenkins (7,625,029) discloses abag gripper with a shoulder strap, the Jenkins gripper is quite acomplex device that has little structural similarity to the carryinghandle system of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The four key features of the present invention are a tubular hand-heldgrip structure, a longitudinal access slot for receiving shopping baghandles, two transverse locking slots on either end of the handlestructure, and an attachable shoulder strap.

The tubular handle structure, composed of a rigid plastic material,provides relief for the hands and fingers of the user from the straincaused by grocery bag handles. The tubular handle evenly distributes thebag load over the gripping fingers and palm of the hand and provides asufficient gripping surface area so as not to hurt the holder's fingers.

The gripping device's longitudinal access slot can accommodate a singlebag or multiple bags. Thus, it allows the user to carry multiple bags atone time, saving the user from making multiple trips to and from the caror store.

The two parallel transverse slots, one near either end of the tubularhandle structure, act to secure the bag handles together. As a result,when the bags are set down, the tubular gripping structure does notbecome misplaced and the user does not have to fumble to gather thehandles back together in order to pick the bags back up. The transverseslots also prevent spillage of the bags' contents when the bags are setdown. This feature is particularly important when the bags are beingtransported in a motorized vehicle because it keeps groceries and otheritems secure inside the bags, rather than spilling and moving aroundinside the trunk. The transverse locking slots also allow for theattachment of a shoulder strap.

The attachable shoulder strap assembly of the carrying handle systemsignificantly increases the amount of weight and number of shopping bagsthat can be comfortably carried by the user at one time. Because itenables the user to carry up to ten full shopping bags at once, theshoulder strap allows him to carry home a week's worth of groceries in asingle trip. The shoulder strap also allows for “hands-free” shoppingand eliminates the need for the holder to repeatedly put the bags downand pick them back up in order to perform tasks such as unlocking andopening doors.

Optimally, the tubular grip structure can include notches inwardlycontiguous to the transverse slots, which further serve to secure thebag handles. Another optimal feature is an access slot which isoutwardly flared at both ends, which allows the device to accommodatemore bags and also allows the bag handles to more fully engage thetransverse slot, thereby enabling more secure carrying and storage. Whenthe shoulder strap is not in use, it can be folded up and slipped intothe access slot of the handle structure for compact storage andtransport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a handle grip according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of a handle grip according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end perspective view of a handle grip according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a handle grip according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a handle grip according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a handle grip according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention with an attached shopping bag.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a handle grip according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention with an attached shoulder strap.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a handle grip according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention with multiple attached shopping bagsand with an attached shoulder strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention 10 comprises a handle grip forsupporting and carrying one or more shopping bags 26 having bag handles27, the handle grip comprising an elongated tubular grip structure 11and an attachable shoulder strap 25.

The grip structure 11 is preferably 5-6″ in length and 1-1.25″ in outerdiameter and is molded from a rigid plastics material. The gripstructure 11 transversely defines an upper structure 12 and a lowerstructure 13, and longitudinally defines a medial region 14 and twoopposed end regions 15.

The grip structure 11 further defines an interior, axially-extending,substantially cylindrical, longitudinal bore 16, preferably having adiameter of 0.75-1″. Within the bore 16 is an arcuate bag handle supporttrough 17 extending longitudinally through the lower structure 13 withinthe medial region 14. The support trough 17 is adapted to be comfortablyheld and supported in a person's hand.

The grip structure 11 further defines two arcuate side walls 18,longitudinally extending along the entire length of the grip structure11, and radially extending from the support trough 17 into the upperstructure 12, wherein the side walls 18 taper within the upper structure12 so as to define two non-contiguous, radially-flared slot margins 19.

The grip structure 11 further defines a bag access slot 20 for receivingshopping bag handles, preferably 0.25-0.5″ wide. The bag access slot 20extends longitudinally between the slot margins 19 and substantiallyopposite to the support trough 17, wherein the slot margins 19 areoriented parallel to one another within the medial region 14, andwherein the slot margins 19 flare radially outward within the endregions 15.

The grip structure 11 further defines two longitudinally arcuate handlenotches 21, each notch preferably having a radius of 0.25-0.5″. Eachhandle notch 21 comprises an open notch side 22 and a closed notch side23, wherein the two open notch sides 22 define two longitudinal terminiof the medial region 14 and the two closed notch sides 23 define twolongitudinal termini of the support trough 17.

The grip structure 11 further defines four arcuate transverse lockingslots 24 preferably 0.125-0.25″ wide extending radially through the sidewalls 18 within the end regions 15 of the lower structure 13 contiguouswith the open notch sides 22. The transverse locking slots 24 are formedby four arcuate, upwardly curving apertures that preferably lie about0.388″ from the end of each side wall 18.

The transverse locking slots 24 are capable of accommodatingtherethrough one or more of the bag handles 27 of one or more shoppingbags 26. The user inserts the bag handles 27 of one or more shoppingbags 26 longitudinally into the access slot 20 and then pulls both endsof the handles 27 vertically downwards, catching them through the handlenotches 21. Once assembled in this manner, the transverse locking slots24 serve to secure the bag handles together, which prevents opening ofthe bags and spillage of the bag contents when the bags are set down ona surface.

Optimally, the tubular grip structure 11 includes notches inwardlycontiguous to the transverse slot 24, which further serve to secure thebag handles 27. Another optimal feature is an access slot 20 which isoutwardly flared at both ends, which allows the device to accommodatemore bags and also allows the bag handles 27 to more fully engage thetransverse slot 24, thereby enabling more secure carrying and storage.

The shoulder strap 25 comprises a medial elongated strap portion havingat either end a means 28 for removably attaching the shoulder strap 25to the grip structure 11, the strap attachment means 28 preferablycomprising a rectangular metal ring. The shoulder strap 25 can beattached to the tubular grip structure 11 by means of interlocking therectangular metal rings of the strap attachment means 28 up through thetransverse locking slots 24 of the tubular handle structure 11. Themedial elongated strap portion of the shoulder strap 25 can then beplaced on the user's shoulder to enable the user to carry up to tenfully-loaded grocery bags at one time with ease. The use of theattachable shoulder strap 25 also allows the user to have his hands freefor shopping, unlocking and opening doors, hailing cabs and otheractivities while carrying a full load of groceries.

When not in use, the shoulder strap can be folded up and slipped intothe bag access slot 20 for convenient storage and transport.

While this invention has been described with reference to a specificembodiment, the description is not to be construed in a limiting sense.Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment, as well as otherembodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in theart upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplatedthat the description will cover any such modifications or embodimentsthat fall within the true scope of this invention.

1. A handle grip for supporting and carrying one or more bags having baghandles, the handle grip comprising: an elongated tubular grip structureand an attachable shoulder strap; the grip structure, transverselydefining an upper structure and a lower structure, and longitudinallydefining a medial region and two opposed end regions; the grip structurefurther defining an interior, axially-extending, substantiallycylindrical, longitudinal bore, and within the bore further defining anarcuate bag handle support trough extending longitudinally through thelower structure within the medial region; the grip structure furtherdefining two arcuate side walls, longitudinally extending along theentire length of the grip structure, and radially extending from thesupport trough into the upper structure, wherein the side wallsterminate within the upper structure so as to define two non-contiguousslot margins; the grip structure further defining a bag access slotextending longitudinally between the slot margins and substantiallyopposite to the support trough, wherein the slot margins are orientedsubstantially parallel to one another; the grip structure furtherdefining two arcuate transverse locking slots extending radially throughthe side walls within the end regions of the lower structure contiguouswith the ends of the support trough; and the shoulder strap comprising amedial elongated strap portion having at either end a means forremovably attaching the shoulder strap to the grip structure through thetransverse locking slots.
 2. The handle grip according to claim 1,wherein the slot margins are oriented substantially parallel to oneanother within the medial region, and wherein the slot margins flareradically outward within the end regions.
 3. A handle grip forsupporting and carrying one or more bags having bag handles, the handlegrip comprising: an elongated tubular grip structure and an attachableshoulder strap; the grip structure, transversely defining an upperstructure and a lower structure, and longitudinally defining a medialregion and two opposed end regions; the grip structure further definingan interior, axially-extending, substantially cylindrical, longitudinalbore, and within the bore further defining an arcuate bag handle supporttrough extending longitudinally through the lower structure within themedial region; the grip structure further defining two arcuate sidewalls, longitudinally extending along the entire length of the gripstructure, and radially extending from the support trough into the upperstructure, wherein the side walls terminate within the upper structureso as to define two non-contiguous slot margins; the grip structurefurther defining a bag access slot extending longitudinally between theslot margins and substantially opposite to the support trough, whereinthe slot margins are oriented substantially parallel to one another; thegrip structure further defining two longitudinally arcuate handlenotches, each handle notch comprising an open notch side and a closednotch side, wherein the two open notch sides define two longitudinaltermini of the medial region and the two closed notch sides define twolongitudinal termini of the support trough; the grip structure furtherdefining four arcuate transverse locking slots extending radiallythrough the side walls within the end regions of the lower structurecontiguous with the open notch sides; and the shoulder strap comprisinga medial elongated strap portion having at either end a means forremovably attaching the shoulder strap to the grip structure through thetransverse locking slots.
 4. The handle grip according to claim 3,wherein the slot margins are oriented substantially parallel to oneanother within the medial region, and wherein the slot margins flareradially outward within the end regions.
 5. A handle grip for supportingand carrying one or more bags having bag handles, the handle gripcomprising: an elongated tubular grip structure transversely defining anupper structure and a lower structure, and longitudinally defining amedial region and two opposed end regions; the grip structure furtherdefining an interior, axially-extending, substantially cylindrical,longitudinal bore, and within the bore further defining an arcuate baghandle support trough extending longitudinally through the lowerstructure within the medial region; the grip structure further definingtwo arcuate side walls, longitudinally extending along the entire lengthof the grip structure, and radially extending from the support troughinto the upper structure, wherein the side walls taper within the upperstructure so as to define two non-contiguous, radially-flared wallmargins; the grip structure further defining a bag access slot extendinglongitudinally between the slot margins and substantially opposite tothe support trough, wherein the slot margins are oriented parallel toone another within the medial region, and wherein the slot margins flareradially outward within the end regions; the grip structure furtherdefining two longitudinally arcuate handle notches, each handle notchcomprising an open notch side and a closed notch side, wherein the twoopen notch sides define two longitudinal termini of the medial regionand the two closed notch sides define two longitudinal termini of thesupport trough; and the grip structure further defining four arcuatetransverse locking slots extending radially through the side wallswithin the end regions of the lower structure contiguous with the opennotch sides.